Selecting and managing devices to use for video conferencing

Abstract

User interfaces are displayed for providing accessory selection options for video conferencing endpoint devices of a video conferencing endpoint. A determination of available input and output accessories for the endpoint is made and the options are presented simultaneously with one another via one or more of the user interfaces. Each respective accessory, along with informative metadata and performance indicators, is displayed for selection by a user for use with the endpoint.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 at an endpoint of a video conference system, determining a plurality of accessories in an accessory category which are communicatively coupled to the endpoint and available for use during a video conference session; 
 obtaining a respective media stream associated with each respective accessory of the plurality of accessories; 
 dynamically and simultaneously displaying a plurality of current function indicators in a graphical user interface at the endpoint, each current function indicator corresponding to a respective accessory of the plurality of accessories, each current function indicator comprising an indication of a label for the respective accessory and a graphical indication describing current media being captured by the respective accessory based on the respective media stream; 
 providing a first selectable element for choosing a first one of the accessories; 
 receiving a selection of the first accessory via the first selectable element and associating the first accessory with the video conference session; 
 receiving metadata concerning a prior video conference session regarding a second accessory of the plurality of accessories; and 
 displaying a first notification based on the metadata in connection with the second accessory. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory category is cameras. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the graphical indication describing the current media is a camera feed. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory category is microphones. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the graphical indication describing the current media is a dynamic bar graph. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 during the video conference session, detecting, by the endpoint, a new accessory; and 
 displaying a second notification regarding the new accessory, wherein the second notification comprises a second selectable element for associating the new accessory with the video conference session. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first notification indicates that the second accessory has performed poorly in the prior video conference session. 
     
     
       8. A method, comprising:
 at an endpoint of a video conference system, determining a plurality of accessories in an accessory category which are communicatively coupled to the endpoint and available for use during a video conference session; 
 dynamically and simultaneously displaying a plurality of current function indicators in a graphical user interface at the endpoint, each current function indicator corresponding to a respective accessory of the plurality of accessories, each current function indicator comprising an indication of a label for the respective accessory and a test function control, wherein in response to a user's selection of the test function control, sample media is played via the respective accessory; 
 providing a first selectable element for choosing a first one of the accessories; 
 receiving a selection of the first accessory via the first selectable element and associating the first accessory with the video conference session; 
 receiving metadata concerning a prior video conference session regarding a second accessory of the plurality of accessories; and 
 displaying a first notification based on the metadata in connection with the second accessory. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the accessory category is speakers. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first selectable element is a drop-down menu. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 during the video conference session, detecting, by the endpoint, a new accessory; and 
 displaying a second notification regarding the new accessory, wherein the second notification comprises a second selectable element for associating the new accessory with the video conference session. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first notification indicates that the second accessory has performed poorly in the prior video conference session.